Last updated on September 12, 2019
We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October at DCCCD, and you’re invited! Campus events will feature speakers, a luncheon, a spoken-word performance and readings to honor the rich Hispanic traditions, history and culture.
The observance will be held through Oct. 15 at all DCCCD campuses; events are free and open to the public, and three Eastfield College activities are scheduled in late October/early November. Learn about each event by college:
Brookhaven College
Wednesday, Sept. 30 — Students, staff and community members are invited to participate in a Hispanic Heritage Month Trivia Game at the college from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Service Center lobby.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Brookhaven College will host its Hispanic Heritage Festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Service Center lobby.
Cedar Valley College
Tuesday, Sept. 22 — A reading titled “Living in Venezuela” will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the library. Maria Boccalandro, who directs Cedar Valley’s sustainability programs, is the featured speaker. Boccalandro is former director of Vital Voices Venezuela and is a member of Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas.
Also … on Thursday, Oct. 15, Student Cultural Presentations will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the courtyard.
Eastfield College
Now through Nov. 2 — Eastfield is extending its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration through Nov. 2 with an exhibit at the library titled “Special Dia de los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead.”
Other events at Eastfield include:
Monday, Oct. 12 — Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico will perform at 11:30 a.m. in the Lower Courtyard.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Renowned Cuban/salsa/tropical band Havana NRG will perform at 12:30 p.m. in C-237A (C Building). The Hispanic Heritage Festival begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Performance Hall.
Wednesday, Oct. 21 — The Different Tastes of Salsa will be presented at 11:15 a.m. in C-135 (C Building) by Chef Lydia Gonzalez.
Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Joaquin Zihuatanejo, a National Poetry Slam finalist and Grand Slam Spoken Word champion, performs at 11 a.m. in C-135 (C Building). The Dallas-based poet also has appeared on HBO’s “Def Poet.”
Monday, Nov. 2 — Eastfield’s Hispanic Heritage Month Knowledge Bowl begins at 10:10 a.m. in the Pit.
El Centro College
Thursday, Sept. 24 — California-based acting troupe Will & Company will examine social justice with a performance titled “50 Years: On Latinos Shaping a Nation” at 11:15 a.m. in El Centro’s Performance Hall.
Mountain View College
Tuesday, Sept. 22 — Author, political commentator and Republican strategist Leslie Sanchez will speak at 11 a.m. at the Mountain View Performance Hall. Sanchez, author of “You’ve Come a Long Way, Maybe: Sarah, Michelle, Hillary and the Shaping of the New American Woman,” will discuss her educational pursuits, personal tale of determination and luck, and shifts in the Latino vote.
A 12:30 p.m. lunch will be held in room W-38m, and Sanchez, who is former director of the White House Initiative, will take questions afterward. The luncheon is free, but space is limited and reservations are required. To make reservations, contact the MVC Office of Student Life at 214-860-8715.
North Lake College
Wednesday, Sept. 23 — Will & Company will make an appearance at North Lake College. The acting troupe will take the stage from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Life Center. The nationally acclaimed producers of “The Faces of America” and “Portraits of Courage” will include the audience in its performance, which addresses social justice issues, including same-sex marriage, gender equality, immigration and reproductive rights.
Richland College
Monday, Sept. 21 — Theatrical production group Will & Company presents “Latinos Shaping a Nation” at 11 a.m. in room 118 of Sabine Hall at Richland. The play addresses social justice issues, including same-sex marriage, gender equality, immigration and reproductive rights.
Monday, Sept. 28 — A presentation titled “The Importance of Youth in Civic Engagement” is scheduled with Sandra Tovar, Dallas-area coordinator for Mi Familia Voca, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. The program will be presented twice, first at 11 a.m. and then at 2 p.m.; both sessions will be held in room 118 of Sabine Hall.
Thursday, Oct. 8 — Richland College and the city of Dallas’ Office of Intercultural Affairs will present an interactive performance titled “Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli — Mexican Mitote” from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the East Breezeway, located near the library. Mexican Mitote is the Aztec language; the program will feature tribal dancing, drumming and a brief look at the Mexihca-Nahuatl philosophy.
Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Guest artist and poet Dr. Octavio Quintanilla will speak and read from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Lago Vista. His poetry has been published in a number of outlets. Quintanilla is a CantoMundo Fellow; he earned his doctorate from the University of North Texas, and he serves as the South Texas editor for Texas Books in Review. He teaches literature and creative writing for the Master of Fine Arts program at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.
About Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15.
Sept. 15 is a significant date because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
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